Our new Green House Business Cards are arriving today and I feel just like Steve Martin in “The Jerk,” with the phone book. . . like I’m going to be validated as an official cartoonist of a great Green comic strip as soon as the business cards arrive (Yes, I’m stalking, er, TRACKING them with the UPS app).
The image featured today is a portion of the inside card art. Peter and I created a folded business card, because we wanted people to get “inside” the Green House, starting with opening the card to get inside our group of characters and critters. One funny little story that cropped up while working on the card, came from Peter’s house. Peter’s son, Bodhi was inspecting the card art and asked who the character was next to Wormy on the Pagoda. Peter replied that it was “Hunny B,” and Bodhi thought for a moment and said, “you’ve never had her in a strip, have you?”
Ummm. . . that would be a “correct, we haven’t, Bodhi. . .” although it took Peter and I both a few seconds to think about it. Somewhere around 2008, Peter and I created this character that until today has only appeared in Peter’s Sketchbook and inside one of our Christmas cards, although she’s been in our consciousness for a long time. We roughed out a few storylines with her and filled a few pages with notes and images as we hashed out the details of her character.
Her full name is Hunny B. Tokeless and she’s a holistic healing honey bee. She plays guitar and is into astrology, herbal medicines and holistic healing. She seemed like a natural addition to the garden critter group as she could provide us all with information about the many uses of all the wonderful plants in the Green’s garden. We thought Wormy could use a female influence as well and she just created herself with a few swipes of Peter’s pencil and a lot of laughs and ‘OH!. . . OH. . what if . . .” moments.
Bee’s are amazing creatures and we hope Hunny will be just as amazing and interesting as her character and stories develop. Speaking of which, here’s a link to a great article on the fascinating Bee. We shared this on our Facebook page earlier in the week and have received some nice feedback and personal insights from y’all about your experiences with bees. I started a hive a few years ago, which I had to dismantle due to overwhelming interest from our local black bears. . . well, I dismantled it before they did, but it was a great learning experience. I hope you all find Hunny B. to be fascinating and funny too.
13 Fascinating Facts about Bees (from mental_floss.com) Click on the bees below. . .
Apples! WE have so many wonderful orchards here in NW Connecticut- been eating the fruits of Applegate Farms in Canton, CT lately. . . so, here’s a little info on the goodness in this garden of Eden temptation. . .
http://atthegreenhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GH_grannysmith.jpg268720adminhttp://atthegreenhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ATG_LogowWormy-Web-300x210.pngadmin2017-05-29 01:44:022025-03-13 15:53:15Lil’ Ol’ Lady Whoooo? . .
I just broke into the Green & Blacks organic dark chocolate bar (70%). . . it’s 9:30 am. . . I had coffee earlier, my smoothie at 7 am, a few nuts and I’m sitting here staring at the computer trying to figure out what to write about that’s relevant to today’s strip. . . then it came to me. Or called to me. . . the chocolate in the pantry. . . Wormy’s showing me the answer and I’m not even noticing. . . go for it. The chocolate is calling . . . it’s not like you do it everyday, just grab a piece, savor it and then hang on!
Channel your inner Wormy. Sometimes we just overthink this stuff. A lot of information doesn’t always translate to knowledge or “know how,” or wisdom. . . it’s just stuff there confusing you. When your tummy hurts you need to heal it. . . you need that “gut feeling” and you need to allow a gut reaction.
I’ve been starving at my core for a long time now, trying to put all my knowledge and experience of writing to use for the greater good. The greater good of mankind and Bradkind. . . I need to make this Green House thing my future, my today, my purpose and in all sincerity the part that I’ve been struggling with is the physical writing of it. It’s like there’s a wall in me that I walk up to daily and scribble on. It’s really entertaining if you step back and read it. . . but there’s SO MUCH more on the other side of that wall. So much more space to scribble on. . . and (Holy Wormholes!) . . . there’s a bunch more walls!!!
I think all creative people have a wall. Some walk up to it daily and walk away. . some walk up and knock down a few bricks until there’s a hole big enough to crawl through. Some run up and vault over it. . . you get the idea. . . I’ve been trying to plan the perfect door to build and calculate all the materials I’ll need to make that door work perfectly. . . but lately I’m jumping. . . a little higher each day. I’m writing stuff on the top of the wall now.
Today I’m throwing a chunk of chocolate over it and then scaling the danged thing to get to that chocolate! I’m almost to the top and ready to . . . . wowwwww. . . . it’s amaaaazing on the other side. Ready to jump. . . . . . I jumped. . . landed . . . and the chocolate is delicious.
What’s been holding you back? What’s your wall? Need to talk about it? Need some chocolate? I’m right over here. . . toss me a note or climb over and join me! Crap . . . Wormy just told me he tunnels under the wall everyday. I gotta start paying more attention to that worm.
Comments?
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“We can either wait for change to be imposed on us (by the ecology) – and so increase the risk of catastrophe – or we can make some difficult changes on our own terms, and so reclaim control of our destiny.” (pg 178, “Earth In The Balance” by Al Gore)
I love this quote from Al Gore, because it gives a great message, muddied up with an unnecessary phrase just in case we can’t imagine the intent of the previous phrase . . . essential Al Gore. . . “-and so increase the risk of catastrophe.” Yes, Al, we kind of get that. . . that’s why we’re reading your book. But it’s a good quote overall, and I’m being picky, because I’m a cartoonist, and to me, the most powerful messages are edited down to their most critical elements. . . make the most of the small space you’re given and make your point. Like today’s featured comic. If a picture is worth a thousand words, this one is worth five thousand from Al Gore.
Peter and I are at a critical point in our development of the “new Green House.” Critical because we want to do the most we can with the time we have, make the most impact, do the most good, reach our desired audience and hopefully help others make the essential decisions they desire to make to create a better world. That ain’t easy! So, we’re are starting at ground zero, literally. . . the ground – and what is it?
Today I’m working on a rough outline of a poster about Composting. . . what is it, how does it work, how do you do it? We’re creating a poster, a booklet and a comic adventure about “everything compost” because, that’s where it all starts. . . and ends . . and starts again.
A flower emerges from the earth, growing on the decay of all life that came before it. . . nurtured by those nutrients. . . yes nutrients. We are all nutrients for something else, either while we’re here or after we’ve gone. . . same as the flower. Currently, I’m doing my own research on two forms of composting, composting in a container and worm composting, and I’ll be sharing photos and information on the blog. While we’re working on the stories of our friends at the Green House, Peter and I will also be sharing our compost information online with the poster and publications, on this blog as a forum – and in a series of talks we will be giving on a local level to schools, libraries etc.
At the same time, we will be creating new Green House material and looking for markets to share it with. Let us know what you think of our posts, comics, information etc. . . if you love it- we’ll move further in that direction. If you don’t, we’ll compost it and let it nurture some new material. Below are two pictures: one of my worm composter, and one of a rotating compost bin that my sister-in-law had retired, as she’s got chickens and a big compost pile to take care of her needs. I’ve had the worm composter going for about 60 days and the bin going for about 30. . . please share your thoughts or questions. We need the input and feedback. . . help us find a balance to work from. We have so many lessons to learn and share. . . Peace.
I’m always trying to find new ways to motivate myself. . . cleaning my desk, organizing my notes, rewriting a schedule, creating a little reward. . . and in the end, if it works, “Hallelujah!” If not, just get down to business. It’s Monday morning and I have big plans for the day and week and month. . . so it’s time to stop scratching the surface and dig in and do what I gotta do. . . I’m just hoping I don’t stink the place up by the end of the week.
What’s your big goal for the day and beyond? No, really, I care. . . :o)
http://atthegreenhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GH_060115.jpg267720adminhttp://atthegreenhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ATG_LogowWormy-Web-300x210.pngadmin2017-05-22 01:52:232025-03-13 15:51:43Starting a Fresh Week
My daughter, Carly is a Taurus and this comic represents her to a Taurus “T.” She’s typically interested in things like Horoscopes, but the first one to call “BS” when she sees it. I used to like reading my horoscope (Scorpio) when I was younger. . . and I’m a believer in Astrology, but I find that newspaper Horoscopes often left me thinking, “huh?” Kind of like fortune cookies, they are a neat little novelty to get you thinking, which is also a positive mental trigger.
Today’s comic came from a real life moment, and my response. Here’s Pam’s actual online horoscope for today: “This isn’t a good time to climb up on soapboxes. People are watching out for any signs of pomposity, and may have even brought some rotten tomatoes to hurl at unsuspecting pedagogues.”
I had to look it up. . . pedagogues are by definition, teachers. Don’t throw any tomatoes at your teachers today non-Taurusians. . . totally unnecessary. Wait till tomorrow and see what your horoscope says, maybe something like, “it’s a good time to mend fences, apologize for any rotten tomatoes you may have thrown yesterday.”
For Pam’s sake, I’ll listen to the horoscope and not try to make any profound statements about horoscopes. I also just put some rotten, well, soft and shriveled grape tomatoes into my worm composter, so pedagogues, relax. . . I will say that everyday is a chance to write your own destiny, your own plan, your own tomorrow. You determine your ‘scope!
Do you have any good horoscope stories? Share them hear or on our Facebook page. As always, that’s where we can really have a great open discussion!
http://atthegreenhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GH_030315.jpg270720adminhttp://atthegreenhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ATG_LogowWormy-Web-300x210.pngadmin2017-05-19 01:01:572025-03-13 15:51:22A Lot of Bull? . . .
I’m not sure how the idea of writing each other’s bios came up. Perhaps it’s just that neither one of us likes talking about ourselves? Here it goes, Peter… if I go on too long, it’s just my way of getting even for your two-hour marathon phone calls…
I first met Peter in New York at the 2000 Reuben Awards (the cartoonists’ equivalent of the Oscars). Peter was a new acquaintance of my best friend Mark Brewer, and we instantly hit it off. After the awards ceremony, we hung out in a bar at the World Trade Center. We spent many hours talking about baseball, the Zen of installing ceramic tile, comic strips, passive solar homes, philosophy, and the overwhelming feeling that we had met in a Turkish prison sometime in a previous life. I’m making up the part about the previous life, but it did sort of feel that way and I’m pretty sure the bartender was Turkish. Or maybe I’d had a turkey sandwich for lunch. I can’t remember. . .
I recall feeling a little bit jealous of Peter’s good looks, athletic physique, tai chi moves, baseball prowess, and total recall of great philosophical quotations (I didn’t even know what an incredible artist he is yet!). Eventually, the fact that I was syndicated, writing a national feature, and had worked with Jim Henson offset all of Peter’s annoying attributes. Then I found out that he got to use Charles Schulz’s baseball glove earlier that day in a cartoonist baseball game.
I was jealous again.
One of the topics that took Peter, Mark and me deep into a night of discussion was a comic strip idea of mine. Back then it was called Down To Earth, and it has since evolved into The Green House. Mark and I were considering working on it together, and I could see that Peter was intrigued with the concept. You see, Peter’s into all kinds of new age, hippie, karma, vegan, tree-hugging kinds of stuff… and I was just entering the realm of serious, environmental consciousness. I could see that Peter was a little envious of Mark’s participation in the budding strip. Ha! One for my side!
Oops. I almost forgot. This is supposed to be Peter’s bio.
Peter draws really amazing, soulful caricatures. He has drawn editorial cartoons for the Hull Times, a South Shore Boston newspaper, for at least ten years now (and they are brilliant cartoons, really). He has worked on a couple of very clever comic strip concepts and inked for a few well-known comic strips. He’s done about as many odd jobs as I have — tiling, building, cooking, waiting tables, commercial fishing , — and took on a few singing telegram gigs I promised I wouldn’t mention, so I won’t.
He grew up on Boston’s South Shores in Hull, MA but moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico because they had a lot more new age meditation groups than Hull did… and he writes more in his amazing journals in one night than I write in my comic strips in a month.
Peter competes in Triathlons. He loves baseball, music, reading, his family- Danielle, Pema, Bodhi & Lily. He loves his pets, his llamas, his grandfather’s inventions, and talking on the phone for hours (not necessarily in that order).
Okay, back to my narrative.
Well, it didn’t pan out for Mark and me, and the Down To Earth idea was buried for a few years. I started exhuming it in the summer of 2004. One afternoon as I was pulling out the old roughs, guess who I hear talking to me from my answering machine? Peter Menice.
I waited a few days to call him back (didn’t want him thinking I was too anxious), and it was just too much of a coincidence that we were thinking about each other after four years. Maybe it was Midnight Express showing on HBO that did it. . .
Peter and I talked about The Green House for hours and hours, and we both connected so well on it that we decided we had to get together and talk about it in person.
I drove up to Boston where Peter was visiting his parents. I met his whole family, we read my roughs together… looked at his art… and it was definitely a match. In the world of comic strips, I believe Peter’s an artist who just hadn’t found his niche yet… and I was a writer who just hadn’t found the right vehicle for my writing style.
Two drifters… off to green the world…
We started working on the story lines, hashing out the characters and just getting comfortable with the concept. In March 2005, I went out to New Mexico, help him tile his mother-in-law’s house (Hi, Joyce!) and see how we got along. It was clear that my writing and his art were clicking. If we could tile a floor together, we’d certainly be able to handle the daily task of creating a comic together.
Staying with his family, we all bonded and the project began to really find its “place.” (That’s kinda like it’s “chi,” isn’t it, Peter?) I know this sounds drippy, but what became obvious is this is what we were meant to do. It’s not just about creating a comic, it’s about our families, beliefs, and about joining the larger consciousness of concerned spirits. I’ve already received so much from Peter, Danielle, Pema, Bodhi, Lily, Joyce and her tile… and I’ve found a soul brother with whom to share my dreams. Anything beyond this point is just vegan gravy.
Our first attempt at creating the Green House as a comic was shelved after about two years, but the characters and the strip’s message endured. . . it kept calling to us both to resurrect it. . . and this year it is coming back to life. Crawling out of it’s worm hole to help green up the planet! It’s what Peter and I were meant to do- and a collaboration that goes way beyond a partnership. . . he’s my cartooning soulmate.
I’ve been truly blessed to find Peter, his family, his Dan Millman books, and a new green path to blaze. I’m certain that our combined talents will create a circle of friendship that will be eternally fulfilling. At least it might keep us out of Turkish prisons.
Thank you, Peter!
>Peter gets his turn at me next Friday, the 13th. . . uh oh. . .
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Thanks to Brad Gilchrist, I now have worms. Bad. And I’ve never been more appreciative. They’re sprawled all over my drafting table in comic superhero fashion. Really.
I’m a sucker for a great super hero whether it be of the human or wriggly kind, because they remind me that we all have our own unique gifts that make us super when used for the greater good. Batman is my favorite because he was just an ordinary guy doing extraordinary things. Like Brad Gilchrist. Bradman. Brad is that kind of super hero. I was actually intimidated by Brad, as we mortals are in the presence of a real hero. After all, he has attained everything I was working so hard for: super gag-writing strength, the ability to appear in more than one newspaper at the same time, and cartoonist nirvana: SYNDICATION!
And what’s not to be intimidated by? He is a truly gifted writer with sharp comic instincts. Our phone conversations are mottled with his quick wit, outrageous word play and brilliant insight. He extracts the remarkable out of the mundane and can easily serve universal truths on a personal, emotional level. Truly, the markings of a great comic strip creator. And he can draw, too! His brush work is easily some of the best I’ve seen. It’s a rare blend of sophisticated line that forms lovable characters reminiscent of Walt Kelly. His CT Fan comic was a rare gem.
He wrote “Nancy” — we all know that — but did you know he used to work with Jim Henson on the Muppets strip? And this at the young age of 19? He even got to slip his hand into actual Muppets, making Fozzie, Beau and Waldorf talk under his spell. I once slipped my hand into Charles Schulz’s baseball glove, but it looked stupid when I tried to make it talk.
And if that’s not enough, he is also a loving and caring husband and father. He often works late into the night to meet a deadline because he is serving his populace like a true super dad, opening his home to his kids’ friends for safe fun, helping to build a life-size mythological beast for his daughter’s school project with wings that actually work, caring for a houseful of pets and repairing anything at any time. I’ve seen it.
While Brad was visiting my home in New Mexico, I got up late one night to get a drink of water in the kitchen and caught Brad red-handed fixing my faucet by moonlight. He can’t help it. It’s in his blood.
I first heard of Brad several years ago from a mutual friend, Mark Brewer, who was raving about Brad’s new comic brainchild about a super hero worm. Mark was so thrilled to be illustrating this worm with a seasoned cartoonist like Brad he could hardly contain himself. And I was SO genuinely happy for him. Well, I was mildly amused at his good fortune.
Okay, I was envious. I mean I had been working on my own strip and was sweating over the gag writing so much I had no time to draw the danged thing. And here’s Mark simply and easily drawing his way to comic nirvana while Brad sweats out the writing part. And to top it off, he was drawing a worm! No hands to screw up — a cartoonist’s dream.
Later that year at the NCS Reuben Awards in New York City, Mark introduced me to Brad. As I shook his hand, I was thinking, “Hey, this is the worm guy.” And he really was… gentle, quiet, really down to earth. So much so that he quelled any instinctive thought I had to take on this syndicated cartoonist by introducing myself as his arch rival and vowing to use my own unique gifts for the greater bad. Yes, his super, grounding demeanor had brought me back down to earth, reducing my diabolical plot to a mere wriggling of an earthworm. Wow…He had more super power than I thought!
We hit it off immediately. We shared a passion for the environment, the Red Sox, and the aesthetic beauty and durability of ceramic tile. He was the perfect compliment to my puppy-dog-like mind. We knew that we were destined to team up on a major project together. So in March 2005, we tiled my mother-in-law’s floor together. Brad mixed the mud; I slapped the tiles in place.
Brad had flown out to New Mexico so we could bond over his brilliant comic strip idea about the worm. We bonded like a couple of kids playing in the mud. Work felt like play and it spilled over into the strip. Our fate was sealed. We became mud brothers. How I got reconnected with Brad is pure magic. I was calling him up to run an idea by him about combining the environment, baseball and ceramics into the greatest comic strip ever. (Hey, they say write what you know and draw what you love.)
What I got instead was more than I could ever imagine — a dream come true. I was offered that rare opportunity to work alongside a master of my chosen craft, and my work has grown to super-hero strength ever since.
As it turned out, Mark Brewer had decided he liked drawing hands and feet after all.
Brad asked me to collaborate with him and we are now creating the comic strip with the worm. Brad mixes, I slap them into place. I started out humbled in the presence of one who has reached nirvana not once but many times — a rare feat indeed. But instead of a sidekick, I felt like an equal Super Hero. You can’t help but be spiritually lifted in his presence. He gave me a task and like our own little Earthworm with the mask and cape, I passed with flying colors.
Thanks to Brad — my partner in grime — I now have worms. Tons of them now. For this I am grateful!
INTENTION and How To Find YOUR Authentic Self & Spiritual Path in a Comic Strip. . .
That one little moment. . . when you peek out from under the covers, see a tiny ray of light shining through the curtain, and something awakens deep within you. . . that awakens the whole of you and gives you the strength to get out of bed and seek the light. . .
Yes, it’s all there on a tiny note under the shoe that Mantis is meditating on. It’s about INTENT. I intend to keep this post brief so more of you will read it. . . so I won’t elaborate each point. . . but Peter Menice has been a sensei to me and hundreds of other people. . . he’s been my Mantis since we began the Green House, whether he likes it or not, he has often been the teacher and the light. He led me to Gary Zukov, Oprah Winfrey and Jim Carrey. . .
I wrote a fun little strip about Mantis trying to meditate while Link is digging through some Swap Shack CD’s. . . both are seeking nirvana. . . one finds Pearl Jam. Some may be seeking Pearl Jam and find Nirvana. . . which is how Peter works his sensei magic. Peter takes my “gag” (what cartoonists chokingly call a strip idea- no, I don’t think “chokingly” is a word, but it fits the description). . . so he takes my gag, and places Mantis on an old shoe and puts a tiny note on the bottom of the sole. . . “Seat of the Sole.” Days later, while we’re discussing the gag, Peter barely mentions the note, except with a few words that carried a tone of satisfaction that he shared a message that is both a good pun and a valuable lesson.
I said I’d keep this brief, so I’ll just let you take the same little journey I took. . . I googled, I found, “The Seat of the Soul,” by Gary Zukov. . . I read some excerpts. . . I found that Oprah Winfrey credits “The Seat of the Soul” with changing her life and how she conducts herself and her business. . . discovering the power of Intent, which told her that “Intention is at the heart of authentic power. . . how do we intend to serve?” Learning about Intention from Zukov’s book changed her life in a powerful, spiritual and authentic way. I also found a profound piece by Jim Carrey. . .
If you’re reading this, you’re finding the note on the bottom of a shoe and you may be thinking, “I’m going to put that shoe on and find a path.” I’d recommend putting two shoes on and make the trip more comfortable. . . so I’ll share two quick videos here. Fifteen minutes total that could change your life. AND. . . ( just a little inside tip from the Swap Shack)- The Audio Book of “The Seat of the Soul” is available on YouTube completely free. Thank you, Mantis. . . thank you, Peter!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEOW_uhF8bk
Please. . . share this!
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Is it just me? I find I cry at almost any movie or slightly sentimental moment lately. I am emotional with song lyrics. I smile at the smiley moments of almost every Facebook post or happy Youtube video. . . My nephew was asking me about my most emotional movies and I basically said, “all of them.” I don’t remember being so easy to stir emotionally when I was younger. . . maybe I was tougher or perhaps cared more about trying not to cry? I think I’ve gotten older and just “let it go.” It feels good to be moved by the moment. . . even some of the cheesy Hallmark Channel movies my wife watches get me. Are there movies or songs that make you cry EVERYTIME? The end of “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a no-doubter for me. Do you think you’ve become an easy Weep Target as you’ve grown older? Sniff. . . . it’s so beautiful to experience all this amazing emotion!
http://atthegreenhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GH_033115.jpg276720adminhttp://atthegreenhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ATG_LogowWormy-Web-300x210.pngadmin2017-05-10 01:35:492025-03-13 15:46:29Oh, deer. . . she knows me tooooo well!
Where they’ll stay till I reach the Green Mark-et.
Then one by one, I’ll take them down.
And pick out a match with discerning care,
In a few short ticks I’d have them all,
Lest I lose a radish in my hair. . .
. . . again.
A poem for fans of visual memorization. . . . help me think of a title for it, please?
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This week we introduce Mantis. He’s our sensei, our outspoken guru and leader on spiritual matters at the Green House. The term “sensei” generally implies “teacher,” and that’s the role he plays for Wormy. Wormy has a million questions and it takes spirituality, patience and a sense of humor to be his teacher. . . much like our school teachers, I suppose. Who was your favorite teacher? Mentor? Take a moment today and show gratitude. . . think of them, send them a note or if you have a child still in school, ask them the same question. You could bring them an organic apple. . . it’s okay if it has a worm in it.
I set up a couple Worm Composters last summer. . . one of the large, multi-tray composters and one small portable one for doing classroom lectures. They’re both doing great and the worms seem happy. . . eating away. Coffee grounds are supposed to be a great “snack” for the worms- as it’s listed in Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm literature. . . and I can’t help thinking that the worms are looking forward to their morning “pile of joe.”
Peter and I are just starting to put together an educational workbook & poster about composting for kids (and adults who like fun pictures with their information). We’re planning to start doing talks for libraries, schools, museums etc for late spring and summer. . . and we’ll be bringing along a tub of hard working worms to show the participants. I just hope they don’t start making me stop at Starbucks on the way to the “gig” for a “jolt.” Although I would kind of like to bring them in and tell the barista that they’d like a Grande Groundaccino.
http://atthegreenhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GH_032515.jpg272720adminhttp://atthegreenhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ATG_LogowWormy-Web-300x210.pngadmin2017-05-03 01:01:462025-03-13 15:45:24Perks of the job. . .
Finding out what’s actually in your food is not a trivial pursuit. . . is High Fructose Corn Syrup the silent killer in our food? Is it the fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse? The actual fourth horseman of our impending demise is Famine. You could say that if you’re eating something with HFCS in it, you aren’t starving, but in reality you are. You’re eating a diet that’s filled with processed foods and additives that make food last longer, cheaper to produce and addictive. You’re giving your body substances that it doesn’t recognize as “food” or fuel and it doesn’t naturally know how to process these additives. It does what it can with them, but it leads to many problems as we consume more and more. And HFCS isn’t the only bad thing we’re putting in our bodies. . . look at the labels on the so-called “Healthy” stuff in your pantry. . . if you can’t pronounce it, it’s probably not something your body wants to process either.
Below is an article I found on the Huffington Post by Dr. Mark Harmon, that gives you the whole story from a Dr.’s perspective. . . but don’t let it end there. . . start doing some investigation for yourself. (Side note: Don’t take everything a “Dr.” has to say as a truth, unless they’re also a qualified Nutritionist and one who is current on nutritional research. . . some Drs only want to prescribe meds to healyour symptoms, instead of tackling the core problem, what you’re putting in your body. All Drs are not created equal. . . Dr. Mark Hyman is on my recommended Expert List, along with many brilliant Nutritionists )- There’s a new Sugar Detox making the news lately, where you take sugar (in processed form) out of your diet completely. My investigating has taken me a few steps past just the sugar detox- I’m in week 2 of the Microbiome Diet, taking sugar, dairy and grains (gluten) out of my diet and adding prebiotics and probiotics to my system to reconstruct my Microbiome. . . I’d recommend reading up on this to everyone. . . But for starters, realizing that most food manufacturers don’t care what your ingesting as long as they’re making revenue from it is good information. . .
Renaissance physician Paracelsus famously said, “The dose makes the poison,” meaning that even harmless substances can become toxic if you eat enough of them. Many people ask me, “Is high fructose syrup really that bad for you?” And my answer to this question is “Yes,” mainly for this very reason.
In America today, we are eating huge doses of sugar, especially high fructose corn syrup. It is sweeter and cheaper than regular sugar and is in every processed food and sugar-sweetened drink. Purging it from your diet is the single best thing you can do for your health!
In recent history, we’ve gone from 20 teaspoons of sugar per person per year to about 150 pounds of sugar per person per year. That’s a half pound a day for every man, woman, and child in America. The average 20-ounce soda contains 15 teaspoons of sugar, all of it high fructose corn syrup. And when you eat sugar in those doses, it becomes a toxin.
As part of the chemical process used to make high fructose corn syrup, the glucose and fructose — which are naturally bound together — become separated. This allows the fructose to mainline directly into your liver, which turns on a factory of fat production in your liver called lipogenesis.
This leads to fatty liver, the most common disease in America today, affecting 90 million Americans. This, in turn, leads to diabesity — pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. So, high fructose corn syrup is the real driver of the current epidemic of heart attacks, strokes, cancer, dementia, and of course, Type 2 diabetes.
HFCS contains dangerous chemicals and contaminants
Beside the ginormous load of pure fructose and sugar found in HCFS, as an added bonus, it contains other chemical toxins. Chemical contaminants used during manufacturing end up in the HFCS and in our food. What we know, for example, is that chloralkali is used in making high fructose corn syrup. Chloralkai contains mercury. And there are trace amounts of mercury found in high fructose corn syrup-containing beverages. Now, it may not be a problem if we eat this occasionally, but the average person in the country consumes more than 20 teaspoons a day of high fructose corn syrup and the average teenager has 34 teaspoons a day. Over time, these heavy metals can accumulate in the body, causing health problems.
Additionally, when we look at the chemical components of high fructose corn syrup on a spectrograph, we can see that it contains many weird chemicals that we know nothing about. That’s why I say better safe than sorry.
Look out for the red flag
The main reason you should give up high fructose corn syrup is that it’s a big red flag for very poor quality food. If you see this ingredient on a label, I guarantee you the food is processed junk. So, if high fructose corn syrup is anywhere on the label, put it back on the shelf. You should never eat this food.
If you want to stay healthy, lose weight easily, get rid of chronic disease, and help reduce the obesity epidemic, the single most important thing you can do is eliminate high fructose corn syrup from your diet and from your children’s diet. Just banish it from your house.
Purge your kitchen
I challenge you to go into your kitchen right now, go in the cupboard and refrigerator, and look at every single label. And I want you to count how many products you have right now in your house that contain high fructose corn syrup. Then, I want you to get a big garbage bag and throw them out and find replacements that are free of it.
If you want to have some sugar, that’s fine. Have a little sugar, but add it to your food yourself. Don’t eat food made with added sugar. Cut the high fructose corn syrup from your life forever. You’ll be healthier. Our planet will be healthier. And we’ll have a healthier generation of children.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Mark Hyman, M.D.
Mark Hyman, MD is a practicing physician, founder of The UltraWellness Center, a six-time New York Times bestselling author, and an international leader in the field of Functional Medicine. You can follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, watch his videos on YouTube, become a fan on Facebook, and subscribe to his newsletter.
